Claire Ellison
Claire Ellison
Credentials: LCSW
Practice: Spot to Talk
Phone: (619) 438-0690
E-mail: hello@spottotalk.com
Location: 191 Jewel Basin Ct. Unit 3D Bigfork, MT 59911
Website: https://spottotalk.com/
Insurance Accepted: Allegiance, BlueCross and BlueShield, CHIP | Children's Program, Cigna, First Choice Health, Medicaid, Montana Health Co-op, PacificSource, TRICARE, UnitedHealthcare, Out of Network
Fees: $75 - $150
Specializing In—
ADHD, Adoption, Anger Management, Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Child or Adolescent, Depression, Family Conflict, Grief, Life Transitions, Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD), Relationship Issues, Sports Performance, Stress, Transgender, Trauma and PTSD
About
Claire was born in London, raised in New York City, attended college and graduate school in San Diego, California, and recently moved to the Flathead Valley of Northwest Montana. Claire’s eclectic background has provided her with an opportunity to live amongst a variety of cultures and environments, naturally leading her to connect with individuals and families of all different backgrounds. As an only child growing up in NYC, Claire often found herself wanting to help others while also noticing that her friends and family often looked to her for advice. This innate desire to provide others with assistance eventually led Claire to enroll at the University of Southern California: School of Social Work, where she obtained her Master’s in Social Work degree.
After earning her Master’s degree, Claire pursued her desire to work with youth by providing mental health services in several different high schools within San Diego. Claire provided individual, group, and family therapeutic services while also assisting in the development of district-wide psychoeducational programs that focus on social skills, substance use, nicotine addiction, and physical violence. In 2017, Claire completed one of her biggest accomplishments yet and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Earning this title allowed Claire to continue serving San Diego youth, but also provided her with the ability to mentor graduate school students and assist them in developing their skills and acquiring the knowledge needed for a career in social work.
Following Claire’s work in the public school system, she moved to Northwest Montana to gain experience working in a youth residential treatment center. As a primary therapist for a group of highschool-aged students, Claire provided individual, family, and group therapeutic services for the students residing at a therapeutic boarding school.
As her career progressed, Claire began to notice that students who were graduating, moving to different schools, or leaving residential centers were leaving without mental health supports in place that truly met their needs. Claire noticed a lack of available mental health referral services for youth in both Montana and California, and it was then that she decided it was time to create something. She envisioned a platform that would provide virtual mental health services while keeping the comfort and personal feel of an in-person setting. A virtual space that would appeal to the younger generations while understanding their need for flexible schedules and privacy. Transportation challenges would be eliminated, and the anxiety that often accompanies an in-person visit would be reduced. After a year of generating and believing in this idea, creating a plan and building it, Claire is so excited to welcome you to Spot to Talk.